Learning and Teaching in a Digital Age

In this post summing up all the information discussed in my previous posts I would like to speak about teaching and learning in the digital age. Recalling my first post about digital youth portrait it is interesting to discover the education and teaching portrait, especially in the country where I live and work as a teacher. Different researches show that the integration of Computer Assisted Language learning in teaching process is highly beneficial and effective. However it is not always easy and real to apply it in different educational institutions because of lack of technology and especially lack of knowledge. This is very much true about Armenia. To effectively use technologies in Education first of all there is a need to fill in the gap of knowledge of how to use technologies in teaching among teachers. Kids become digitally literate outside the schools however they see totally different approach inside the classroom. We speak very much about Mobile learning which allows students to learn anywhere and anytime but still in many schools of Armenia the use of mobile phone during the classes is regarded as something unacceptable. I myself recently faced this problem during one of my courses at Yerevan State Linguistic University, when I just tried to use my phone for taking notes and I saw the negative attitude of my professor. 

There are so many things that must be changed before technologies may be integrated in Armenian schools and educational institutions and it is, first of all, the philosophy of education. Connie Yowell (director of Education) in her talk mentions three shifts that are crucial in education for this digital age: the first shift is from education to learning. Today technology provide for kids every possible opportunity for self-learning and kids very much use this opportunities even without realizing that. Children today are all digitally literate and no one taught them it, kids get this literacy outside the school. Nowadays learning is taking place anywhere and anytime. Second shift is the shift from consumption to participation. Learners are no longer passive consumers, they need to be active participants, they need to be doers during the classes and so the lessons should be highly learner-centered. And the last shift is from institutions to network. Learning with digital media is fundamentally different. It requires different literacies and different skills from teachers and educators.

 It is natural that the integration of technologies in education may not be realized immediately. However,  if every one of us try to use in our classes one of the technologie-based activities, assignments or approaches discussed in my previous posts, we would very soon have totally modern language classes.

Google Apps and Language Teaching 

I’m very much speaking about how to integrate technologies in teaching foreign languages and how to make teaching process more effective and meaningful. Having experience in both learning foreign languages and teaching foreign languages, I believe that nowadays it is much easier to be the learner than the teacher. Nowadays learners best friend is Google and 21^st century learners are lucky enough to have Google search and thus to have answers to all the questions that they may have. It is not only easy but also very interesting and informative. I myself love to search for some information in Google; this has already become my hobby searching for books, pictures, useful websites etc. Perhaps Google is great for self-directed learners who like to find more and deeper information about different topics and subjects. 

However Google is very kind not only for self-learners but also for teacher. Different Google applications may be used in classes for educational purposes. First of all the most applicable one is Google Docs. This application gives users opportunity to simultaneously have access to a document and edit it, add or delete some information. This application is great for collaborative group work activities in an on-line environment. Learners may write summaries, make discussions or exchange ideas with the help of this application having Gmail account. 

Google Earth is another application which may be used in teaching for practicing the Country names, Ocean names or cities. The teacher may also organize information gap activities having learners give each other directions and find places in Google Earth. 

There are also different applications which are available only for those institution members, who use Google apps. I had an opportunity to use some of these applications. First of all I would like to introduce Google Sketchup. This application allows teachers and students to create three-dimensional designs and models. It may be used in teaching for describing these models or again for giving directions or different commands. 

Another Google App that may be used by teachers is Google Notebook. With the help of this Notebook teachers may take notes, save online content they’d like to organize and revisit later. The most exciting thing is that they may easily share this information with their students or colleagues.

It is very difficult to explore all Google apps in only one post, so I recommend you to Google for more information about the use of these applications for education. 

P.S. Thank you Google to give me opportunity to have this blog page. 

Cloud Computing

Some years ago when  I was working on one of the most important assignments of my University program I have had a big problem. After completing the task it was found out that my computer was at risk and suddenly I’ve lost all the information in it including the document of my assignment. This was really a tragedy for me and I remember this day as the worst day of my life. However after that day I’ve changed something in my life I’ve started to save all my important files in my e-mail’s “draft” folder.  This gave me opportunity to get my files from different devices and anywhere that I could get internet connection. At that time I thought that it would be great to have a website where I could upload everything, like “to have my computer online” with all the folders and programs. 

When I’ve first read about cloud computing it seemed that my thought came true. Today internet users have this opportunity to save their files in the “cloud” which is safe and accessible place from different devices and anywhere. Different companies suggest different services; you can upload your pictures, documents or music and sleep quietly without thinking about their safety because the company is responsible for them. Cloud computing also allows use some programs online, like converting formats, cutting music, editing pictures etc. In dictionaries cloud computing is defined as internet-based computing in which large groups of remote servers are networked so as to allow sharing of data-processing tasks, centralized data storage, and online access to computer services or resources (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cloud+computing).

This description of cloud computing may seem too simplified; you can always find more complex and profound definitions on-line. However before you do that I would suggest you to watch this video about how younger users define what cloud computing is. 

Distance Education 

Every time when I start working on my new post related to technology and education I realize to what extent Thomas Friedman was right claiming that “The world is flat” (see my 2^nd post).  One of these world flatteners may be considered distance education or distance learning. Distance learning occurs when students get knowledge separated from the instructor (teacher) by time and physical distances using technology.  Different articles discuss the advantages and disadvantages of distance education. First of all learner independence and learner autonomy is considered as a central place in discussions of language learning in distance education (White, 2003). Distance education presents learners with new demands and new opportunities compared to those experienced in face-to-face classrooms. In distance learning the degree in self-management and environment management are crucial. The learner is responsible to create a schedule, to choose the course, the time to devote to learning etc. So, distant learners are faced with numerous decisions and roles which are usually carried out by the teacher in classroom contexts in order to have effective results. 

As I’ve already mentioned learner independence plays decisive role in distance learning, that is why the main challenge is how to create a distance course which would make learners be motivated and best develop their autonomy and abilities to direct and derive benefit from their learning experiences. This issue shows the importance of the so-called context of delivery in distance education, which includes support services, organization structures, staff commitment, feedback options, response times, opportunities for interaction between course participants and numerous other more fluid course elements which may develop.

For me the idea of distance learning is great! First of all it gives opportunity to get education from different Universities of various countries. Nowadays most Universities provide discourse education. So, we can live anywhere and study from a different country.  Although in this case there may be a lack of face-to-face interaction or oral conversations however distance learning is still very effective way to get education for those who have jobs or lack of time.  

This video provides interesting information about teachers’ and learners’ attitude toward distance learning and education.